James L. Courtney, 91 of Bluffton, passed away Friday evening, April 28, 2023, at Ossian Health & Rehab. Center.
Jim was born Oct. 23, 1931 in Bluffton to James “Howard” Courtney and Mona M. (Stout) Courtney-Miller-Brown. He attended Bluffton High School and obtained his GED while in the military.
He proudly served 22 years in the Army and retired as a Staff Sargent. While in the Army, Jim served two tours in Vietnam and earned a bronze star. Jim then worked for Corning Glass as an operator. He also served as a custodian for the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton, for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 111, and the First United Methodist Church.
On July 6, 1968, Jim and Gloria J. Knoble were married in Ringgold, Ga. They shared 27 years of marriage prior to her passing on Aug. 2, 1996.
Survivors include his children Linda (Jeff) Thompson and Pamela (James) Warthman both of Bluffton, 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a daughter Tamera “Tammy” L. Sark; a son, James D. Knoble; a sister Phyllis Ann Croy; and three brothers, Kenneth D. Courtney, Benjamin M. Courtney, and Danny “Dan” H. Courtney.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery with military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post 111 Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the funeral service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family at Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the Courtney family at www.thomarich.com.